Chapter 2

Just as I was about to pull up to my house, I suddenly remembered that my driver's license was still at my family's place.

I turned the wheel and headed back, figuring I might as well tell my parents about the marriage plan while I was there.

I just wanted to get it over with, but as soon as I brought up Eugene, my father's face darkened.

"Grace, you haven't sorted out the mess with Ethan yet, and now you want to marry that good-for-nothing from the Sterling family? You trying to make us look even worse?" my father shouted.

I set my bag down on the couch, trying to keep my voice steady. "These are two separate things. Ethan ditched me first, and the Sterling family's offer could actually work in our favor—"

"In our favor?" my mother suddenly cut in, going on and on about the Sterling family's current standing.

"You just don't get it, honey," she said to my father. "The Sterling family is huge in Belansburg. You know how much pull they have.

"Even if Eugene's reputation isn't great, his network is solid. If Grace marries him, our company's southern expansion is basically set. It's a win-win."

My father let out a cold laugh. "Network? Do you even know what people are saying about him out there?

"Biggest playboy in the city. Goes through women like he's changing shirts. That's not the kind of reputation we want attached to the Sutton name."

"Reputation doesn't pay the bills." My mother walked over and patted my shoulder. "Grace, you made the right choice. Marriage is about what you gain. Love doesn't keep you warm at night. Look at Ethan. Years together and he still walked away without looking back."

They went on like that, back and forth. My father called me foolish, while my mother crunched the angles.

Neither of them asked what kind of person Eugene actually was. Neither of them asked if this was something I wanted.

I stared at the potted plant on the coffee table, full and green, and thought about the first time I won that math competition. My father said I'd made the family proud, while my mother said it would open doors.

Later, when I wanted to study art, they shut it down fast, saying there was no future in it and telling me to stick to something that built the business.

In the end, all they ever cared about was profit and the family legacy.

The idea of being my own person was just a piece of crumpled paper they'd tossed away years ago.

Throughout dinner, I stayed silent while my parents kept arguing.

After all that, I still walked out with the driver's license.

Sitting in my car, watching the house shrink in the rearview mirror, I felt weirdly disconnected.

Twenty-plus years in that place, and it suddenly felt like a gilded cage. Every bar was engraved with "family interests."

My thoughts scattered when my phone buzzed.

Eugene's message came through. [What are you doing right now?]

I thought for a second, and then joked back. [Fighting my way through thorns.]

He caught on instantly. [Your family's really against it, aren't they?]

It sounded like a question, but also like he already knew the answer.

Before I could reply, another message popped up. [Come to Evergreen Estate. Check out the place. If you don't like anything, we can still change it.]

I hesitated, and then figured a change of scenery couldn't hurt. So I texted back "Okay" and headed over.

Soon, I pulled up to the villa. As I slid the key into the lock, I heard piano music drifting through the door.

I pushed the door open, and the entryway lights flicked on automatically.

The melody kept flowing from the direction of the living room, blending with the subtle fragrance in the air. For some reason, it instantly put me at ease.

I crept quietly and peeked in, surprised to find Eugene sitting at the piano bench.

He looked nothing like his usual self. His usual wild hair fell soft and loose now, and he wore a simple, clean shirt. Even the tattoo was gone.

I stared, momentarily caught off guard.

He was lost in his own world, only turning to notice me after finishing the piece.

With a playful smile, he said, "Let me introduce tonight's performer. Top instructor at the conservatory, twelve hundred dollars an hour. That's me."

I played along, giving a little curtsy. "I'm honored. Had no idea you could play."

"You'd be surprised how much you don't know about me," Eugene said with a smirk.

With a teasing look, I asked, "Does that include your tattoo?"

He chuckled. "It's a waterproof sticker, just for show."

That night, he didn't push me about my family's reaction. Instead, he just started talking about the wedding plans.

He shared his ideas for the ceremony and chatted about how our families might team up in the future.

I went along with it, matched his energy, and kept things light.

We talked for hours. Somewhere around midnight, he checked his watch.

"Got somewhere to be. Stay if you want. Bathroom stuff's all set," he said.

Then he took off, same whirlwind exit as the first time we met.

I wandered around the empty house for a bit, but it felt boring. So I left too.